Real Madrid have reportedly set their sights on Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as they consider another change in the dugout. The Spanish giants sacked Xabi Alonso earlier this season after just eight months, and his replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, has failed to turn things around, with the club eliminated from the Spanish Cup by second-tier Albacete and failing to automatically qualify for the Champions League last 16.
According to reports in Spain, Emery is the 'best positioned' candidate to take over at the Bernabeu, with Real Madrid having already made contact with his representatives to gauge his interest. The 54-year-old has enjoyed hugely successful spells in Spain with Valencia, Sevilla and Villarreal, winning the Europa League four times.
Emery joined Aston Villa in November 2022 and has overseen a remarkable rise, with the club now sitting third in the Premier League, just four points behind leaders Arsenal. Villa have also reached the Champions League quarter-finals this season. Emery signed a new five-year contract 18 months ago, keeping him at Villa Park until 2029.
However, former England manager Stuart Pearce has suggested Emery may be frustrated by Villa's limitations. 'I don't know whether the frustration going forward will be too much for him that he can't take this team any further,' Pearce said. 'He's certainly alerted a lot of clubs that there's an outstanding manager there.'
Villa have recently bolstered their squad with the signing of Tammy Abraham from Besiktas and the return of Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus. They face Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League on Thursday before a Premier League clash with Brentford.
